24<\/strong>. Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over<\/em> ] In this section the one clause in the Pl. address. Steuernagel connects it immediately with 16 f. On these formulas cp. Deu 1:7<\/span>; Deu 1:19<\/span>.<\/p>\n the valley of Arnon<\/em> ] No one doubts that the Naal Arnn<\/em> and the modern W. el-Mjeb are the same stream and valley. It is more than a coincidence that Arnon = sounding<\/em>, and that some forms of the root of Mjeb, wajaba<\/em>, mean to ‘fall with a noise or rush.’ The greatest of all the caons that cut the plateau of Mo’ab, one understands how it has so often been a political frontier. A little W. of the Hajj road a valley is formed some 250 ft below the plateau by the conjunction of several wdies, which have risen among the desert hills to the E. of the road. Under the successive names of W. Sa‘ideh, Seil e-efei, and W. el-Mjeb, it runs with a mainly W. direction, and a rapidly increasing depth (at ‘Aro‘er 1800 or 2000 feet below the plateau) between almost precipitous walls to the Dead Sea, about 3500 ft below the plateau. The valley is entered from N. and S. by other caons, of which two are almost as long as itself. About 15 miles from its mouth it receives from the S. its chief tributary, a stream which with its valley has already for some stretch above the confluence borne the name el Mjeb, but higher up is known as W. es-Sulni; probably (see Deu 2:13<\/em><\/span>) the Zered of Israel’s march. About 2 miles from its mouth enters from the N. the W. el-Wleh, which draining all N.E. Mo’ab has cut the plateau in a S.W. direction. All these three caons, with their tributaries, appear to be included in the (plural) valleys of Arnon, Num 21:14<\/span>. But the valley of Arnon<\/em> in the present verse is probably the direct E. and W. caon on its upper stretch, W. Sa‘ideh, on which ‘Ar stood (see on Deu 2:9<\/em><\/span>); this is certain if the identification of edemoth, stated below, Deu 2:26<\/em><\/span>, is correct. Musil, Moab<\/em>, 9 ff.; the present writer in PEFQ<\/em>, 1904, 373 377.<\/p>\n behold, I have given into thine hand<\/em>, etc.] Sg. address resumed: so too Sam., LXX. Cp. Deu 1:27<\/span>.<\/p>\n Sihon the Amorite<\/em> ] For Sn, see below on Deu 2:26<\/em><\/span>; for Amorite, see on Deu 1:7<\/span>.<\/p>\n contend with him in battle<\/em> ] This does not agree with, or at least it should not come before, Deu 2:26<\/em><\/span><\/em> ff., the efforts of Moses to obtain a peaceable passage through Amorite territory; its originality is questionable if we are to assign to the discourse a reasonable measure of consistency.<\/p>\n 24-36. Rise ye up . . . and passover the river Arnon<\/B>At its mouth, this stream is eighty-twofeet wide and four deep. It flows in a channel banked byperpendicular cliffs of sandstone. At the date of the Israelitishmigration to the east of the Jordan, the whole of the fine countrylying between the Arnon and the Jabbok including the mountainoustract of Gilead, had been seized by the Amorites, who, being one ofthe nations doomed to destruction (see Deu 7:2<\/span>;Deu 20:16<\/span>), were utterlyexterminated. Their country fell by right of conquest into the handsof the Israelites. Moses, however, considering this doom as referringsolely to the Amorite possessions west of Jordan, sent a pacificmessage to Sihon, requesting permission to go through histerritories, which lay on the east of that river. It is alwayscustomary to send messengers before to prepare the way; but therejection of Moses’ request by Sihon and his opposition to theadvance of the Israelites (Num 21:23<\/span>;Jdg 11:26<\/span>) drew down on himselfand his Amorite subjects the predicted doom on the first pitchedbattlefield with the Canaanites. It secured to Israel not only thepossession of a fine and pastoral country, but, what was of moreimportance to them, a free access to the Jordan on the east.<\/P><\/p>\n Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon<\/strong>,…. Which was on the border of Moab, and divided between Moab and the Amorites, Nu 21:13<\/span><\/p>\n behold, I have given into thy hand Sihon, the Amorite, king of Heshbon<\/strong>, and his land; that is, he had determined to give it to the Israelites, for as yet it was not actually given; of this king, and the place he was king of, [See comments on Nu 21:21 see Gill on ]<\/span>Nu 21:26″ begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle; provoke him to war, fight with him, take his land from him, and enter upon the possession of it, hereby assuring of victory.<\/p>\n The Help of God in the Conquest of the Kingdom of Sihon. – Deu 2:24<\/span>. Whereas the Israelites were not to make war upon the kindred tribes of Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites, or drive them out of the possessions given to them by God; the Lord had given the Amorites, who had forced as way into Gilead and Bashan, into their hands.<\/p>\n Deu 2:24-25<\/span><\/p>\n <\/strong> While they were encamped on the Arnon, the border of the Amoritish king of Sihon, He directed them to cross this frontier and take possession of the land of Sihon, and promised that He would give this king with all his territory into their hands, and that henceforward (“ this day<\/em>,” the day on which Israel crossed the Arnon) He would put fear and terror of Israel upon all nations under the whole heaven, so that as soon as they heard the report of Israel they would tremble and writhe before them. , “ begin, take,<\/em> ” an oratorical expression for “ begin to take” ( in pause for , Deu 1:21<\/span>). The expression, “ all nations under the whole heaven<\/em>,” is hyperbolical; it is not to be restricted, however, to the Canaanites and other neighbouring tribes, but, according to what follows, to be understood as referring to all nations to whom the report of the great deeds of the Lord upon and on behalf of Israel should reach (cf. Deu 11:25<\/span> and Exo 23:27<\/span>). , so that<\/em> (as in Gen 11:7<\/span>; Gen 13:16<\/span>; Gen 22:14<\/span>). , with the accent upon the last syllable, on account of the consec. ( Ewald<\/em>, 234, a<\/em>.), from , to twist, or writhe with pain, here with anxiety.<\/p>\n Deu 2:26-30<\/span><\/p>\n <\/strong> If Moses, notwithstanding this, sent messengers to king Sihon with words of peace (Deu 2:26<\/span>.; cf. Num 21:21<\/span>.), this was done to show the king of the Amorites, that it was through his own fault that his kingdom and lands and life were lost. The wish to pass through his land in a peaceable manner was quite seriously expressed; although Moses foresaw, in consequence of the divine communication, that he would reject his proposal, and meet Israel with hostilities. For Sihon’s kingdom did not form part of the land of Canaan, which God had promised to the patriarchs for their descendants; and the divine foreknowledge of the hardness of Sihon no more destroyed the freedom of his will to resolve, or the freedom of his actions, than the circumstance that in Deu 2:30<\/span> the unwillingness of Sihon is described as the effect of his being hardened by God Himself. The hardening was quite as much the production of human freedom and guilt, as the consequence of the divine decree; just as in the case of Pharaoh. On Kedemoth<\/em>, see Num 21:13<\/span>. , equivalent to “upon the way, and always upon the way,” i.e., upon the high road alone, as in Num 20:19<\/span>. On the behaviour of the Edomites towards Israel, mentioned in Deu 2:29<\/span>, see Num 21:10<\/span>. In the same way the Moabites also supplied Israel with provisions for money. This statement is not at variance with the unbrotherly conduct for which the Moabites are blamed in Deu 23:4<\/span>, viz., that they did not meet the Israelites with bread and water. For , to meet and anticipate, signifies a hospitable reception, and the offering of food and drink without reward, which is essentially different from selling for money. “ In Ar<\/em> ” (Deu 2:29<\/span>), as in Deu 2:18<\/span>. The suffix in (Deu 2:30<\/span>) refers to the king, who is mentioned as the lord of the land, in the place of the land itself, just as in Num 20:18<\/span>.<\/p>\n Deu 2:31<\/span><\/p>\n <\/strong> The refusal of Sihon was suspended over him by God as a judgment of hardening, which led to his destruction. “ As this day<\/em>,” an abbreviation of “as it has happened this day,” i.e., as experience has now shown (cf. Deu 4:20<\/span>, etc.).<\/p>\n Deu 2:32-33<\/span><\/p>\n <\/strong> Defeat of Sihon, as already described in the main in Num 21:23-26<\/span>. The war was a war of extermination, in which all the towns were laid under the ban (see Lev 27:29<\/span>), i.e., the whole of the population of men, women, and children were put to death, and only the flocks and herds and material possessions were taken by the conquerors as prey.<\/p>\n Deu 2:34-35<\/span><\/p>\n <\/strong> (city of men) is the town population of men.<\/p>\n Deu 2:36<\/span><\/p>\n <\/strong> They proceeded this way with the whole of the kingdom of Sihon. “ From Aror on the edge of the Arnon valley <\/em> (see at Num 32:34<\/span>), and , in fact, from the city which is in the valley<\/em>,” i.e., Ar<\/em>, or Areopolis<\/em> (see at Num 21:15<\/span>), – Aror being mentioned as the inclusive terminus a quo <\/em> of the land that was taken, and the Moabitish capital Ar as the exclusive terminus <\/em>, as in Jos 13:9<\/span> and Jos 13:16<\/span>; “ and as far as Gilead<\/em>,” which rises on the north, near the Jabbok (or Zerka, see at Deu 3:4<\/span>), “ there was no town too high for us<\/em>,” i.e., so strong that we could not take it.<\/p>\n Deu 2:37<\/span><\/p>\n <\/strong> Only along the land of the Ammonites the Israelites did not come, namely, along the whole of the side of the brook Jabbok, or the country of the Ammonites, which was situated upon the eastern side of the upper Jabbok, and the towns of the mountain, i.e., of the Ammonitish highlands, and “ to all that the Lord had commanded<\/em>,” sc., commanded them not to remove. The statement, in Jos 13:25<\/span>, that the half of the country of the Ammonites was given to the tribe of Gad, is not at variance with this; for the allusion there is to that portion of the land of the Ammonites which was between the Arnon and the Jabbok, and which had already been taken from the Ammonites by the Amorites under Sihon (cf. Jdg 11:13<\/span>.).<\/p>\n History of the Moabites.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/I><\/span><\/P> <\/TD> B. C.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN> 1451.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P> <\/TD> <\/TR> <\/TABLE> 24 Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it,<\/I> and contend with him in battle. 25 This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are<\/I> under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee. 26 And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying, 27 Let me pass through thy land: I will go along by the high way, I will neither turn unto the right hand nor to the left. 28 Thou shalt sell me meat for money, that I may eat; and give me water for money, that I may drink: only I will pass through on my feet; 29 (As the children of Esau which dwell in Seir, and the Moabites which dwell in Ar, did unto me;) until I shall pass over Jordan into the land which the LORD<\/B> our God giveth us. 30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD<\/B> thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth<\/I> this day. 31 And the LORD<\/B> said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land. 32 Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz. 33 And the LORD<\/B> our God delivered him before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people. 34 And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain: 35 Only the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we took. 36 From Aroer, which is<\/I> by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from<\/I> the city that is<\/I> by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD<\/B> our God delivered all unto us: 37 Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not, nor<\/I> unto any place of the river Jabbok, nor unto the cities in the mountains, nor unto whatsoever the LORD<\/B> our God forbad us.<\/P> God having tried the self-denial of his people in forbidding them to meddle with the Moabites and Ammonites, and they having quietly passed by those rich countries, and, though superior in number, not made any attack upon them, here he recompenses them for their obedience by giving them possession of the country of Sihon king of the Amorites. If we forbear what God forbids, we shall receive what he promises, and shall be no losers at last by our obedience, though it may seem for the present to be to our loss. Wrong not others, and God shall right thee.<\/P> I. God gives them commission to seize upon the country of Sihon king of Heshbon, Deu 2:24<\/span>; Deu 2:25<\/span>. This was then God’s way of disposing of kingdoms, but such particular grants are not now either to be expected or pretended. In this commission observe, 1. Though God assured them that the land should be their own, yet they must bestir themselves, and contend in battle with the enemy. What God gives we must endeavour to get. 2. God promises that when they fight he will fight for them. Do you begin to possess it, and I will begin to put the dread of you<\/I> upon them. God would dispirit the enemy and so destroy them, would magnify Israel and so terrify all those against whom they were commissioned. See Exod. xv. 14<\/span>.<\/P> II. Moses sends to Sihon a message of peace, and only begs a passage through his land, with a promise to give his country no disturbance, but the advantage of trading for ready money with so great a body, v.<\/I><\/span> 26-29<\/span>. Moses herein did neither disobey God, who bade him contend with Sihon, nor dissemble with Sihon; but doubtless it was by divine direction that he did it, that Sihon might be left inexcusable, though God hardened his heart. This may illustrate the method of God’s dealing with those to whom he gives his gospel, but does not give grace to believe it.<\/P> III. Sihon began the war (v.<\/I><\/span> 32<\/span>), God having made his heart obstinate,<\/I> and hidden from his eyes the thing that belonged to his peace (v.<\/I><\/span> 30<\/span>), that he might deliver him into the hand of Israel. Those that meddle with the people of God meddle to their own hurt; and God sometimes ruins his enemies by their own resolves. See Mic 4:11-13<\/span>; Rev 16:14<\/span>.<\/P> IV. Israel was victorious. 1. They put all the Amorites to the sword, men, women, and children (Deu 2:33<\/span>; Deu 2:34<\/span>); this they did as the executioners of God’s wrath; now the measure of the Amorites’ iniquity was full (Gen. xv. 16<\/span>), and the longer it was in the filling the sorer was the reckoning at last. This was one of the devoted nations. They died, not as Israel’s enemies, but as sacrifices to divine justice, in the offering of which sacrifices Israel was employed, as a kingdom of priests. The case being therefore extraordinary, it ought not to be drawn into a precedent for military executions, which make no distinction and give no quarter: those will have judgment without mercy that show no mercy.<\/I> 2. They took possession of all they had; their cities (v.<\/I><\/span> 34<\/span>), their goods (v.<\/I><\/span> 35<\/span>), and their land, v.<\/I><\/span> 36<\/span>. The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. What a new world did Israel now come into! Most of them were born, and had lived all their days, in a vast howling wilderness, where they knew not what either fields or cities were, had no houses to dwell in, and neither sowed nor reaped; and now of a sudden to become masters of a country so well built, so well husbanded, this made them amends for their long waiting, and yet it was but the earnest of a great deal more. Much more joyful will the change be which holy souls will experience when they remove out of the wilderness of this world to the better country, that is, the heavenly, to the city that has foundations.<\/I><\/P><\/p>\n Verses 24, 25:<\/strong><\/p>\n Jehovah instructed Israel to move across Arnon, into the territory occupied by Sihon the Amorite king. They were to engage him in battle and occupy his territory. Israel first asked permission to cross Sihon’s territory. He refused, and launched an attack against them. This hostility is a clue to the command for Israel to the fight against Sihon, and to take his territory.<\/p>\n Jehovah promised to implant the fear and dread of Israel in the hearts of all nations who would hear of their exploits. This would contribute to their future success in military campaigns against these hostile nations.<\/p>\n This illustrates a principle relevant today. God works on both ends of a situation, to enable His peole to accomplish His purpose. An example of this is found in Acts 10 (which see), in Peter’s encounter with Cornelius the Roman centurion. God prepared both Peter and Cornelius for this important meeting.<\/p>\n Deu 2:24<\/span><\/p>\n . Rise ye up, take your journey. I have lately said that the order is here inverted, for what soon after follows, “And I sent messengers out of the wilderness,” etc., Deu 2:26<\/span>, Moses, in my opinion, has inserted by way of parenthesis: it will, therefore, be suitably rendered in the pluperfect tense, “But I had sent,” etc. Thus there will be no ambiguity in the sense that, when the messengers had returned without effecting their purpose, God sustained the weariness of the people by this consolation, as though he had said, Sihon has not, with impunity, repudiated the peace offered to him, since it will now be permitted you to assail him in lawful war. And assuredly this signal for the expedition to advance depends on the declaration which is subjoined in Deu 2:30<\/span>, as we may readily gather from the context; for Moses there repeats what we here read respecting their passage in somewhat different words; and again does God testify that He has given Sihon into the hands of the people, and exhorts Moses to go down boldly to the battle. Moreover, the cause is there specified why (Sihon) had been so arrogant and contemptuous in his rejection of the embassy, viz., because God had “hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate.” From whence again it appears how poor is the sophistry of those who imagine that God idly regards from heaven what men are about to do. (128) They dare not, indeed, despoil Him of foreknowledge; but what can be more absurd than that He foreknows nothing except what men please? But Scripture, as we see, has not placed God in a watch-tower, from which He may behold at a distance what things are about to be; but teaches that He is the director (moderatorem) of all things; and that He subjects to His will, not only the events of things, but the designs and affections of men also. As, therefore, we have before seen how the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, so now Moses ascribes to God the obstinacy of king Sihon. How base a subterfuge is the exception which some make as to His permission, sufficiently appears from the end which Moses points out. (129) For why did God harden the heart of Sihon? thalt “He might deliver him into the hand” of His people to be slain; because He willed that he should perish, and had destined his land for the Israelites. If God only permitted Sihon to grow hardened, this decree was either nought, or mutable, and evanescent, since it depended on the changeable will of man. Putting aside, then, all childish trifling, we must conclude that God by His secret inspiration moves, forms, governs, and draws men’s hearts, so that even by the wicked He executes whatever He has decreed. At the same time it is to be observed that the wicked are not impelled to hardness of heart by extrinsic force, but that they voluntarily harden themselves; so that in this same hardness of heart God may be seen to be a just judge, however incomprehensible His counsel may be, and however the impiety of men may betray itself, who are their own instigators, and the authors of their own sin. Emphatically does Moses inculcate the same thing twice over, viz., that the spirt of Sihon was hardened by God, and his heart made obstinate, in order that God’s paternal favor towards His chosen people might be more conspicuous; because from the obstinacy of the blinded king He afforded them a just cause for war, and an opportunity for victory. <\/p>\n (128) Addition in Fr., “sans disposer de leur volonte;” without disposing their will. <\/p>\n (129) “Or il appert par la fin que Moyse specifie combien ceste tergiversation est frivole, de dire que Dieu permet sans rien ordonner;” now, it appears by the end which Moses specifies, how frivolous is that subterfuge, to say that God permits without ordaining anything. — Fr. <\/p>\n LESSON THREE <\/strong>Deu. 2:24<\/span><\/strong> to <\/strong>Deu. 3:29<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n 7. FIRST SUCCESSFUL CONQUESTS (Deu. 2:24<\/span> to Deu. 3:11<\/span>)<\/p>\n a. OVER SIHON KING OF HESHBON (Deu. 2:24-37<\/span>)<\/p>\n 24 Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the valley of the Arnon: behold, I have given into thy hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land; begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle. 25 This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the peoples that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee. THOUGHT QUESTIONS 2:2437<\/p>\n 47.<\/p>\n Are we to conclude from the record here that God is in control of the thoughts and decisions of evil men?<\/p>\n 48.<\/p>\n What specific actions of the Israelites cast fear into the hearts of their enemies?<\/p>\n 49.<\/p>\n Why send messenger to Shihon if Moses already knew he would not harken unto him?<\/p>\n 50.<\/p>\n In what sense was Shihon responsible for the hardening of his heart? In what sense was God responsible?<\/p>\n 51.<\/p>\n When Shihon was defeated, how much of the territory on the east of the Jordan was conquered?<\/p>\n AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 2:2437<\/p>\n 24 Rise up, take your journey, and pass over the valley of the Arnon; behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land; begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.<\/p>\n 25 This day will I begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the peoples that are under the whole heavens, who shall hear the report of you, and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you. COMMENT 2:2437<\/p>\n PASS OVER THE VALLEY OF THE ARNON (Deu. 2:24<\/span>)proceeding now up the east side of the Dead Sea. If we have located Ar (Deu. 2:18<\/span>)[21] correctly on the edge of the Arnon, the command to cross the river and the order to pass by the Ammonites (Deu. 2:19<\/span>) are to be considered as one and the sameor at least issued at the same time.<\/p>\n [21] Some locate Ar on the southern bank of the Arnon riverothers as far as twenty-five miles south of it. We do know that it was on the northeastern border of Moab, separating it from Ammon (Deu. 2:18-19<\/span>).<\/p>\n SIHON THE AMORITE, KING OF HESHBON (Deu. 2:24<\/span>)The Amorites were spread out over a wide area of Canaan (See Deu. 1:44<\/span> cf. Gen. 14:13<\/span>; Gen. 15:16<\/span>; Gen. 15:21<\/span>; Gen. 48:22<\/span>, etc.) They generally dwelt in the hill country (Num. 13:29<\/span>, Jos. 10:5<\/span>). Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites Israel defeated, ruled an extensive area from the Arnon river to mount Herman (Deu. 3:8<\/span>). Israel was hearing the words of this very discourse on the property formerly ruled by Sihon (Deu. 4:44-49<\/span>). His land extended from the Arnon to the Jabbok rivers, but his attempt to oppose Israels passage through his kingdom ended in complete defeat. See Num. 21:21-31<\/span>.<\/p>\n FOR JEHOVAH THY GOD HARDENED HIS SPIRIT, AND MADE HIS HEART OBSTINATE, THAT HE MIGHT DELIVER HIM INTO THY HAND (Deu. 2:30<\/span>)an incident that reminds us of the hardening of Pharaohs heart. We do not have a case here or in Exodus of God taking a good man and causing him to be lost. Rather, we have a case in both instances of God using an already godless and sinful king and manipulating him to his glory and the advantage of his people. The following comment by James R. McMorrow applies equally well to Pharaoh or Og. The Bible plainly states that God hardened Pharaohs heart: The Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart (Exo. 10:1<\/span>); But the Lord hardened Pharaohs heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go (Exo. 10:20<\/span>). Also read Exo. 10:27<\/span>; Exo. 11:10<\/span> . . .<\/p>\n Did God harden Pharaohs heart, and, thus, cause him to be lost . . .? No, not at all. Pharaoh had already killed thousands of innocent babies. He had already opposed the people of God year in and year out. Pharaoh was already a sinner of the deepest dye. No person or power could do anything to this man to cause him to be lost, for he was already in that condition . . . [22] From the Voice of Evangelism, March 3, 1951<\/p>\n We believe when God hardened the spirit of Sihon, and made his heart obstinate his purposes were similar to those he had when he hardened Pharaohs heart. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show in thee my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth, So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth . . . Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? (Rom. 9:17-18<\/span>; Rom. 9:21<\/span>). It is significant to note how God thus showed his power over a wicked king, both as Israel was getting out of his land of bondage, and as he was getting into his land of promise.<\/p>\n This was their first armed battle, and so important both to the encouragement of a people so very unused to war as they were, and for the discouragement of the neighboring tribes round about (Note Deu. 2:25<\/span>). By the time the spies were sent to Jericho, Rahab could very truly say, I know that Jehovah hath given you the land, and that the fear of you is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you (Jos. 2:9<\/span>).<\/p>\n AND I SENT MESSENGERS OUT OF THE WILDERNESS OF KEDEMOTH (Deu. 2:26<\/span>)a town on the eastern border of Moab, and the pasture grounds around it were called the wilderness (midbar) Kedemoth Josiah Porter.<\/p>\n THOU SHALT SELL ME FOOD . . . WATER . . . AS THE CHILDREN OF ESAU THAT DWELL IN SEIR, AND THE MOABITES THAT DWELL IN AR, DID UNTO ME (Deu. 2:28-29<\/span>)We have seen the great change in the attitude of the Edomites (Deu. 2:6<\/span>) from the first refusal (Num. 20:21<\/span>). The Moabites are here said to have sold Israel food and water, but it appears from Deu. 23:3-6<\/span> that it was not a willing service, and that nation, along with Ammon, was severely cursed for their lack of hospitality. Later, they showed outright antagonism toward Israel. See the account in Num. 31:10-20<\/span>, and the evil schemes of Balaam and Balak in Numbers 22-25.<\/p>\n JAHAZ (Deu. 2:32<\/span>)Num. 21:23<\/span> tells us Sihon went out against Israel into the wilderness, and came to Jahaz; and he fought against Israelthus the city must have been some distance from the more civilized areas. Its location is uncertain, but we know it was north of the Arnon river (Num. 21:13<\/span>).<\/p>\n ONLY TO THE LAND OF THE CHILDREN OF AMMON THOU CAMEST NOT NEAR; ALL THE SIDE OF THE RIVER JABBOK, AND THE CITIES OF THE HILL COUNTRY, AND WHERESOEVER JEHOVAH OUR GOD FORBADE US (Deu. 2:37<\/span>)Better, But you did not encroach upon the land of the Ammonites, all along the wadi Jabbok and the towns of the hill country, just as the Lord our God had commandedThe Torah, God gave them their commission; and those only were to be cut off, the cup of whose iniquity was full. Though the Moabites and Ammonites were thus spread, they requited good with evil, for they [later] fought against the Israelites, and cast them out of their possessions, Jdg. 11:4-5<\/span>; 2Ch. 20:1<\/span>, & c., and committed the most shocking cruelties; see Amo. 1:13<\/span>. Hence God enacted a law, that none of these people should enter into the congregation of the Lord even to their tenth generation: see chapter Deu. 23:3-6<\/span>Clarke. But see also our notes under the passage. The curse itself was specifically for their mistreatment of Israel as they came out of the wilderness.<\/p>\n (24) Pass over . . . Arnon.<\/strong>The territory from Arnon northward to Jabbok had been taken from Moab by the Amorites, and was to be possessed by Israel. (See on Num. 21:24<\/span>.)<\/p>\n CONQUEST OF THE AMORITES, Deu 2:24-37<\/span>.<\/p>\n The Israelites were not to make war upon the Edomites, nor Moabites, nor Ammonites, but they are told that Jehovah has given Sihon the Amorite <\/strong> and his land to them.<\/p>\n “<\/strong> Rise yourselves up, take your journey, and pass over the valley of the Arnon. See, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession of it, and contend with him in battle.” <\/p>\n They were now therefore to rise and cross the River Arnon and its valley and approach the Amorites, under Sihon king of Heshbon, north of Moab. In spite of the fact that Israel would offer friendship the result would be fierce battle during which they would commence taking possession of the land which was to be theirs. This was Yahweh’s decision and His purpose. This land had been snatched from Moab by Sihon. It was not his, and he and his people were Amorites, due for destruction. <\/p>\n Heshbon was the royal city of the Amorites in the area (Num 21:25-26<\/span>). It has not yet been clearly identified. It became a levitical city (Jos 21:39<\/span>). It was restored by Reuben (Num 32:37<\/span>), came into the possession of Gad, and then was later in the times of Isaiah and Jeremiah taken by Moab, before again being captured by Israel <\/p>\n Israel Defeats Sihon King of the Amorites <\/strong> In Deu 2:24<\/span> Moses rehearses Israel’s defeat of Sihon king of the Amorites.<\/p>\n Deu 2:24<\/strong><\/span> Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.<\/p>\nFuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible <\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
26 And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying, 27 Let me pass through thy land: I will go along by the highway, I will turn neither unto the right hand nor to the left. 28 Thou shalt sell me food for money, that I may eat: and give me water for money, that I may drink: only let me pass through on my feet; 29 as the children of Esau that dwell in Seir, and the Moabites that dwell in Ar, did unto me; until I shall pass over the Jordan into the land which Jehovah our God giveth us. 30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him; for Jehovah thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as at this day. 31 And Jehovah said unto me, Behold, I have begun to deliver up Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land. 32 Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, unto battle at Jahaz. 33 And Jehovah our God delivered him up before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people. 34 And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed every inhabited city, with the women and the little ones; we left none remaining: 35 only the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, with the spoil of the cities which we had taken. 36 From Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and from the city that is in the valley, even unto Gilead, there was not a city too high for us; Jehovah our God delivered up all before us: 37 only to the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not near; all the side of the river Jabbok, and the cities of the hill-country, and wheresoever Jehovah our God forbade us.<\/p>\n
26 So I sent messengers from the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying,
27 Let me pass through your land; I will go only by the road, turning aside neither to the right nor to the left.
28 You shall sell me food to eat, and sell me water to drink; only let me walk through,
29 As the sons of Esau who dwell in Seir and the Moabites who dwell in Ar did for me, until I go over the Jordan into the land which the Lord our God gives us.
30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him; for the Lord your God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that He might give him into your hand, as at this day.
31 And the Lord said to me [Moses], Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land over to you; begin to take possession, that you may succeed him and occupy his land.
32 Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz.
33 And the Lord our God gave him over to us; and we defeated him and his sons and all his people.
34 At the same time we took all his cities, and utterly destroyed every city, men, women, and children; we left none to remain.
35 Only the cattle we took as booty for ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we had captured.
36 From Aroer, which is on the edge of the Arnon valley, and from the city that is in the valley, as far as Gilead, there was no city too high and strong for us; the Lord our God delivered all to us.
37 Only you did not go near the land of the Ammonites, that is, to any bank of the river Jabbok and the cities of the hill country, and wherever the Lord our God had forbidden us.<\/p>\n
God knew what kind of man Pharaoh was and that this wicked old king would never come to repentance. Gods decision was: I am going to make him stubborn to accomplish several things. God, in this act, showed Israel that he was greater than the oppressor. Again, God used Pharaoh as an example to show what would happen to those who would not obey.
It is plain to see that God was honored by hardening Pharaohs heart and bringing about his destruction. If God could not get honor in the rulers life by repentance, He will get honor by destruction of his body.[22]<\/p>\nFuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n